DEALS

Decision today on whether FSU's Winston will be charged

Quarterback Jameis Winston is the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and many think voters are holding off on casting ballots until it's known whether charges will be filed. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE — The prosecutor overseeing the investigation of sexual assault allegations against Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston said Wednesday that it is complete.

State Attorney Willie Meggs has scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m. today in his office to announce his findings. Meggs said investigators have learned as much as they can about the December 2012 incident.

“We think we have exhausted all investigative tools,” he said.

Winston has led the Seminoles to the No. 1 ranking, and they will play for a conference title Saturday, with a shot at the national crown.

The quarterback also is the leading candidate for the Heisman, and many voters are waiting to see whether Winston will be charged with a crime before casting their ballots. The deadline for Heisman ballots to be turned in is Dec. 9.

ESPN has previously reported that DNA belonging to Winston was found in the underwear of the accuser. A lawyer for Winston has suggested that his client and the accuser had consensual sex. But the family of the woman, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, has accused the 19-year-old quarterback of rape.

Meggs has said he wanted to make sure prosecutors completed a thorough investigation before making a final decision. He has also said several times that it's up to prosecutors to determine whether there is a “reasonable” chance of conviction.

The fact that Meggs has scheduled a news conference — as opposed to getting a warrant for Winston's arrest — could be seen as a sign that he will not file charges.

Timothy Jansen, the attorney representing Winston, said he does not know what Meggs will announce.

“We're hoping and waiting like everyone else, and we believe the evidence will exonerate Mr. Winston,” Jansen said.

Patricia Carroll, the attorney representing the accuser, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The allegation was first reported to police in December. The family has said the woman did not know the identity of her attacker until early January, when she identified him as Winston.

The family has been sharply critical of the way Tallahassee police have handled the case. The family says they pushed to have a DNA sample taken from Winston only to be told by a police detective that it would alert Winston and make the case public.

Tallahassee police have defended their handling of the case and said it was placed on inactive status in February after police were told the accuser did not wish to prosecute the case. Carroll, who has law offices in Dade City and New Tampa, has denied that the woman wanted to drop the investigation.

The woman was an FSU student during the December incident, but she left school after Carroll was told by police that information about the case was about to be released to the media.

Associate athletics director for communications Rob Wilson said the university did not have any comment Wednesday. The university is expected to address the matter sometime after Meggs' press conference.

Florida State policy dictates that a student-athlete is suspended from game action if charged with a felony until the charge is resolved “absent extraordinary circumstances as determined by the administration.”

Winston was named Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, offensive player of the year and rookie of the year this week after setting ACC freshman records with 3,490 passing and 35 touchdowns.